VISITING SOLO SENIORS : FAMILY OF CHOICE FAMILY OF FRIENDS
I think we can learn a lot from those who are senior to us and many of us have parents or grandparents who have already passed away. There is an increasing number of people who were only children who will go into their senior-hood without parents or siblings. While some of these people have other blood relatives who may look in on them and be there to stand up for them, many depend(ed) on a FAMILY OF FRIENDS.
I first heard the terms FAMILY OF FRIENDS or FAMILY OF CHOICE (MADE UP OF FRIENDS) while having contact with many gay males in business. I became friendly with some of these men and learned that though their family of birth had kicked them out because they were living a gay lifestyle (which usually meant no marriage, no children), they had formed family with others in the same situation. They provided each other mutual support, but it wasn't all talk about problems, it was actually BEING THERE for each other through unemployment, hospitalizations, and so on.
Why not go to a senior building or assisted living in your area and volunteer, or ask the staff if you can be involved in casually visiting seniors there? Maybe take your dog too.
You may make some friends - of choice.
(First posted on June 6, 2013)
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